Guildhall Artist in Performance: Jazz Studies

jazz@gsmd.ac.uk

This is an intensive course for a group of 15-20 instrumentalists and singers who have already reached a high level of performance and are preparing to enter the field as professionals.


Jazz Players

The course is designed to train the whole musician through an aural approach and a broad curriculum to give students a solid foundation in performance, harmony, rhythm, improvisation, composition, arranging and studio recording.

Course components include:

Guildhall Jazz Band - a large ensemble which performs regularly, tours and leads workshops. Five times winner of the BBC Radio 2 Big Band Competition with four albums recorded.

Guildhall Jazz Singers - a close-harmony vocal group with accompanying band

Small jazz groups - regular mixed groups led by course tutors and visiting performers

Improvisation - a comprehensive course emphasising fundamental techniques for improvisation and creative development

Harmony/ear training - a course in recognising, understanding and responding to harmony

Composition/arranging - a practical course in composition, arranging and orchestration for jazz ensembles

Jazz history and listening - a comprehensive study of the jazz tradition

Rhythm classes - a practical course developing time and rhythm skills

Studio and recording workshops - courses in recording/production techniques, sequencing and using computers

Department of Jazz teaching staff

Bruno Heinen

'I chose to do my postgraduate studies at the Guildhall School as I found it the ideal place for me to reconcile my love of both classical and jazz music. Most of all, I have enjoyed playing with, and meeting like-minded musicians in an overwhelmingly supportive and friendly school.'
Bruno Heinen, Postgraduate Jazz Studies

Audition

The audition, consisting of two 20 minute sessions, for which a rhythm section is provided, consists of:

  • a piece of the candidate's choice
  • a 12-bar blues (key to be chosen by the panel)
  • the candidate's choice from:

I Got Rhythm

Stella by Starlight

All the Things You Are

  • sight-reading
  • a basic harmony test on the piano
  • improvisation by ear
  • an interview

At the audition the panel is looking for musicianship and potential, although candidates are expected to have reached a reasonable level of proficiency in harmony and rhythm skills as a performer and/or writer.

The course often hosts and performs with visiting artists.